Researchers explore signs of regional climate change

Climate change is an issue of concern for many around the world. Scientists say the signs are everywhere. Here in the Great Lakes region, the evidence of regional climate change can be seen in every day.

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Angelica A. Morrison reports

The Great Lakes Integrated Sciences and Assessments Center in Michigan is a group that specializes in presenting climate change information specific to this area. Researcher Laura Briley is from the center. She says one sure sign of regional climate change can be found in the water.

“The lakes themselves, are actually changing,” she said. “Water temperatures have been increasing and in some cases increasing at a faster rate than air temperatures.”

Briley says other signs of climate change in the Great Lakes basin include severe storms, increased precipitation and reduced ice cover on the lakes.

For more information about the research at the Great Lakes Integrated Sciences and Assessments Center visit http://glisa.umich.edu/

The problem of storm water overflows has been a sore spot for many communities across the Great Lakes. Here in Erie County, the issue was on the table during a panel discussion about Green Infrastructure in the Buffalo-Niagara Region.

Environmental groups are continuing their work to revive habitats along the Great Lakes corridor.

The issue of storm water runoff has plagued waterways in Great Lakes states for years. Areas like Toronto on Lake Ontario, the Buffalo River in Western New York and the Maumee River in Ohio are just a few examples.